Workplace pension scheme membership at lowest level since 1997

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By Laura Moulden

Workplace pension scheme membership is at its lowest level since 1997, dropping to 46 per cent.

Statistics published yesterday (February 22nd) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that 83 per cent of public sector employees and 32 per cent of private sector employees had a workplace pension plan in place in 2012.

The proportion of employees with defined benefit occupation pensions continued to fall – with only 28 per cent of employees engaging in this type of scheme in 2012.

A greater proportion of workers from the public sector contributed seven per cent or more to their pensionable earnings in comparison to 2011, accounting for 37 per cent of employees in 2012.

Commenting on the ONS figures, Frances O’Grady, general secretary for the Trades Union Congress, claimed the numbers show a growing divide within the sector.

“Increasingly, workers in trust-based schemes have employer contribution rates above eight per cent, which is essential to build up a decent retirement income,” she said.

“In contrast, a growing proportion of workers in contract-based schemes have employer contributions of less than four per cent. Many people saving into these schemes could find themselves with a low income in retirement, even after years of saving.”

Ms O’Grady went on to claim that the news provides further evidence that strong pension scheme governance and growing saving rates go “hand in hand” and urged more employers to implement trust-based plans.